The tech world has just welcomed a new player set to challenge the renowned Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4. Meet the BPI-CM5 Pro, a compute module brought to you by Banana Pi and ArmSoM, featuring the powerful Rockchip RK3576 chipset. This cutting-edge module promises not just comparable performance to Raspberry Pi’s latest, but also offers a series of enhancements that could tip the scales in its favor.
Launched just two months after the globally released BPI-M5 Pro, the BPI-CM5 Pro stands out with its distinct capabilities. Unlike the single-board BPI-M5 Pro, which measures 92 x 62 mm, the BPI-CM5 Pro is a compact compute module designed to rival the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4. At the heart of its design is the Rockchip RK3576, which boasts four ARM Cortex-A72 CPU cores, four Cortex-A53 CPU cores, a Mali-G52 MC3 GPU, and an NPU delivering an impressive 6 TOPS (INT8). By comparison, the Broadcom BCM2711 chipset that powers the Raspberry Pi CM4 performs similarly, but with some differences.
While the Raspberry Pi CM4 has robust software support, the BPI-CM5 Pro distinguishes itself with additional hardware perks. It includes a dedicated NPU, an extra PCIe interface, and a whopping 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM. Moreover, it triumphs in connectivity, offering Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6, coupled with a generous 128 GB of flash storage.
Currently, you can get your hands on the BPI-CM5 Pro through ArmSoM as the ArmSoM-CM5, priced at $103 for the version equipped with 8 GB RAM and 64 GB of storage. There’s also anticipation that Banana Pi will soon make this module available on their AliExpress store, although the exact date remains unconfirmed.
Additionally, the BPI-CM5 Pro will be offered alongside a carrier board, further enhancing its utility and flexibility for various tech projects.
Stay tuned as this promising compute module could be a game-changer for developers and tech enthusiasts alike, offering a blend of performance, connectivity, and storage that few can match.
